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Abstract
The kinetics of ascorbic acid degradation in drumstick (Moringa olifera) leaves as well as in pure ascorbic acid solutions at the initial concentrations present in drumstick leaves over a temperature range of 50–120 °C (isothermal temperature process) has been studied. The degradation kinetics of ascorbic acid was also evaluated in normal open-pan cooking, pressure-cooking and a newly developed and patented fuel-efficient eco cooker (non-isothermal heating process). The ascorbic acid degradation followed first-order reaction kinetics where the rate constant increased with an increase in the temperature. The temperature dependence of degradation was adequately modelled by the Arrhenius equation. A mathematical model was developed using the isothermal kinetic parameters obtained to predict the losses of ascorbic acid from the time–temperature data of the non-isothermal heating/processing method. The results obtained indicate the ascorbic acid degradation is of similar order of magnitude in all the methods of cooking. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
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